[Harp-L] Subject: RE: Re: harmonica- most difficult instrument?

[randy singer <randy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

HI EVERYONE,

I have been reading the cogent posts by bill, chris and others....the 
consensus seems to be overwhelmingly in favor that the harmonica is no 
more difficult than any other instrument.

I still am not convinced. I AM NOT trying to orchestrate a pity party 
for our beloved instrument in this forum. I just want to underscore our 
need to to work twice as hard to get the same results as other 
instruments.

How does one define VIRTUOSO? One who can improvise, sightread and play 
a variety of masterful genres in any key (classical, pop, jazz).

Keeping this criteria in mind, there are thousands of trumpet players, 
piano players that fit this criteria, You can find incredible players 
of these instruments in every city of the world, more or less. But how 
many harmonica players fill this criteria? Very, very few.  Besides 
Howard Levy and Toots, Meurkins, Bonfiglio, the list gets very short 
very quickly.

Compounding the difficulty is the lack of work and educational skills 
to foster advancement of the harmonica.

All things considered, the average harmonica is less skilled than the 
average guitarist, sax player or pianist. I think a monkey on a desert 
island  could probably figure out how to playing pleasing music on a 
piano, a lot faster than if he only had a harmonica. I think a beginner 
guitarist or pianist can spend one year practicing and get a better 
sound than any harmonica player I have heard practicing for the same 
amount.

To keep our instrument from slipping into obscurity, I applaud all of 
us who never give up to make themselves better every day in every way,

I could be wrong and I am open to being so.

In the meantime, this is my (002 cents).

randy



Message: 21
   Date: Mon, 8 Aug 2005 10:59:06 -0700
   From: "Bill Romel" <romel@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: Re: harmonica- most difficult instrument?

I must agree with Lim Zong Liang.  We must not blame the instrument for 
our
short comings with a harmonica.  As said by a very wise man,  practice
makes perfect.  Study and practice means everything.  I have spent 50 
good
years playing chromatic and never was that good enough to call myself
accomplished.  Why? Because, I did not practice enough, took short cuts
playing by ear,( that hurts), never studied the music enough.  Was not
truly dedicated enough.  Lied to myself, saying I was satisfied with 
what I
could play.
Not true.  Never gave the music or the instrument the priority of my 
time
that I gave to other endeavors.  My career in the night clubs of Las 
Vegas
and Orange County was short lived because I lacked the musical 
knowledge.
To late to go back and start over.  Don't blame the instrument for your
short comings.

Best Regards,